31
The joke
fell flat (caused no amusement).
It is afar
cry (a long way off) from Delhi to New York.
It is afar
cry (no easy transition) from autocracy to democracy.
He is far
and away (very much) the better of the two players.
The story
of the shipwreck, as narrated by one of the survivors,made my flesh creep
(horrified
me).
A Pathan
is an ugly customer (a formidable person to deal with) when his blood is up (he
is
excited).
She is a
delicate woman but has to rough it (to endure hardship) to support her family.
He pins
his faith to (places full reliance upon) technical education.
He
sometimes tells lies, so people take his statements with a grain of salt
(doubt).
He is not
the sort of man to let the grass grow under his feet (to remain idle, to
procrastinate).
32
It's no
use splitting hairs (disputing over petty points, quibbling about trifles).
He is a
great hand at (expert at) organizing public meetings.
By your
strange conduct you will give a handle to (furnish an occasion for) suspicion
and
scandal.
He knows
what he is about (is far-sighted and prudent).
You can
rely on him; he knows what's what (is shrewd and experienced, knows the ways
of the
world).
Mussolini
seems to bear a charmed life (to be invulnerable, as he escapes death in an
almost
miraculous manner).
When the
Arabs conquered Persia, some Persians, it is safe to say, embraced Islam for
loaves and
fishes (material benefits).
It never
occurred to me that you would leave me in the lurch (desert me in my
difficulties,
leave me in a helpless condition).
In
everything that he does he has an eye to the main chance (his object is to make
money,
he regards
his own interests).
The
bank won't accept the guarantee of a man of straw (a man of no substance).
33
His
observations were beside the mark (not to the point, irrelevant).
Not to
mince matters (to speak unreservedly), some of these pundits are mere
charlatans.
His
adversaries moved heaven and earth (made every possible effort) to get him
dismissed.
Do your
worst ! I nail my colours to the mast (refuse to climb down or surrender).
Stick to
your colours (refuse to yield, be faithful to the cause), my boys !
The
murdered man was found in a state of nature (naked).
This coat
fits you to a nicety (exactly).
He refused
to be led by the nose (to follow submissively).
His wife,
who was the daughter of a millionaire, turned up her nose at (regarded with
contempt)
her husband's proposal to buy a Ford car.
Don't
thrust your nose into (meddle officiously in) my affairs.
34
He is such
an absent-minded fellow that he does not know what passes under his nose (in
his very
presence).
Successive
ministers have found the question of employment a hard nut to crack (a
difficult
problem to solve).
This
gentleman, having worked successfully in the business line for several years,
is now
resting on
his oars (stopping work for a time and having rest).
A dispute
in that colliery came to a head (reached a crisis) this week.
The recent
outbursts of murderous rioting should warn the labour agitators that they are
playing
with fire (trifling ignorantly with matters liable to cause trouble or
suffering).
During the
war, he made a pile (made a fortune).
The famous
libel case brought into play (gave an opportunity for the exercise of) his
forensic
abilities.
I admit
that he pleaded the cause of the poor very eloquently; but will he put his hand
in
his pocket
(give money in charity)?
To small
purpose (without much practical benefit) was the Commission appointed, if its
main
recommendations are not adopted.
Just
now flying is all the rage (extremely popular).
35
He is
rather blunt, but his heart is in the right place (he is faithful and true
hearted).
He is
regarded as his chiefs right-hand man (most efficient assistant).
His
letters to his ward speak volumes for (serve as strong testimony to) his
forbearance
and good
sense.
The new
cotton mill is mortgaged up to the eyes (completely, to its full extent).
You don't
look quite up to the mark (in excellent health) this evening.
Now, don't
you call me any names, or you will find that two can play at that game (i.e., I
can
retaliate in the same way).
He was a
man who could put two and two together (draw a correct inference reason
logically).
You see he
has two strings to his bow (has two sources of income to rely upon); he deals
in curios,
and also does miniatures.
Her uncle
has taken her under his wing (under his protection).
I suspect
that fellow has sent us on a wild-goose chase (a foolish and fruitless search).
36
The
policeman, having disarmed the thief, had the whip-hand of (was in a position
to
control)
him.
I did not
notice in him anything out of the way (strange, eccentric).
I am told
your cousin is in hot water (in trouble) over that speech.
There is
nothing so bad as washing one's dirty linen in public (discussing unpleasant
private
matters before strangers).
If their
demands are not granted, the strikers threaten war to the knife (a bitter and
deadly
struggle).
They are
at daggers drawn (i.e., their relations are strained) ever since the
dissolution of
the
partnership between them.
When
plague first broke out in Mumbai, Dr. X did yeoman's service (excellent work).
He is
still in the vigorous health, although he is on the wrong side of sixty (more
than
sixty
years of age).
You can
safely trust him; he is a man of his words (a man to be depended on, a
trustworthy
man).
He
finds no little difficulty in keeping the wolf from the door (keeping off
starvation).
37
Beware of
that wolf in sheep's clothing (hypocrite)!
The doctor
says the patient has turned the corner (passed the crisis).
He very
cleverly turned the tables on his opponent (i.e., brought him to the position
of
disadvantage
lately held by himself).
I am
afraid you have caught a Tartar in him (i.e., found him more formidable than
you
expected).
I should
like to have that matter settled immediately, because it keeps a man on
tenterhooks
(in a state of suspense and anxiety).
He is
under the thumb of (completely under the influence of) his wife.
He carried
out his project in the teeth of (in defiance or regardless of )opposition from his
community.
Only ten
years ago he was a junior barrister, but he is now at the top of the tree (at
the
head of
his profession).
We must
avoid saying or writing anything that would tread on their toes (give offence
to
them).
His
master put the screw on (brought pressure to bear on) him to vote for his
friend.
38
In the
contest he came off second-best (was defeated, got the worst of it).
I sent him
about his business (dismissed him peremptorily) as I could stand his insolence
no longer.
People who
talk shop (talk exclusively about their business or professional affairs) are
generally
unbearable.
He appears
to have an old head on young shoulders (to be wise beyond his years).
As a rule,
they eat but one square meal (full meal) a day.
In his
travels he claims to have rubbed shoulders (come into close contact) with
people of
all sorts
and conditions.
Although
much remains to be done in this direction, the gradual increase in the number
of
schools
clearly shows that the school master is abroad (education is spreading in every
direction
and ignorance is diminishing).
His
boorish manners occasionally set his refined cousin's teeth on edge (i.e.,
irritated
him).
When the
Inspector entered the class some of the pupils shook in their shoes (trembled
with
fear).
39
There are
black sheep (bad characters, scoundrels) in every community.
One of our
best workers was ill, so we had to make shift (get along as best as we could)
without
him.
I
threatened to show him up (to disclose his villainy) if he did not mend his
ways.
That
solicitor is guilty of sharp practice (underhand or questionable dealings).
The
usurper cannot maintain his position without the sinews of war (money).
As a
writer he has often snapped his fingers at (defined) convention.
The
speaker was unmercifully heckled, but he manfully stood to his guns (i.e.,
maintained
his own opinion).
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